I'm planning on using a TENs machine during labour - with gas and air as my only other pain relief!

Does anyone have experience using one - do they work? when did you put it on etc etc...

Thanks

Angela

Sat Feb 11, 2006 6:45 pm

Aimee1980

ED BABE

Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:51 pmPosts: 635Location: Harlech, Gwynedd

Hi
I used one and i thought it was fantastic! You can use it when ever you like, i didnt put mine on till i was quite far along but when i did it def made a difference.
It was easy to use and a bonus that you can decide how much pain relief you need and at what time.
I will def be using them in future pregnancies!!

I worship the God of TENS! They are sooo wonderful! I'd been in slow labour for 30 hours when my Dad hired one for me and it was magic. It really took the edge off the contractions. I used it right up til I went to hospital when I was 8cm dilated and started on the gas and air instead! I had it on for around 9 hours in total. I'd definately get one again.

I have one !
Have been advised by my midwife to start using it two
weeks before EDD for an hour a night. This will help you
get used to using it, putting pads on etc and can help with
any back ache etc ! So will be starting using mine
next week and then will use it for labour. My friend only
used TENS when she had her daughter last year, and she
weighed 9lb.

H and Bump x

_________________

Sat Feb 11, 2006 9:40 pm

COMPTON2006

ED member

Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:20 pmPosts: 62

Hi I use a TENS for pain relief quite a lot because of an illness I have. I tryed to use it during labour with my first little girl but it just anoyed me. I talked to my midwife while pregnant with my second child and she said it may not help cause I use it all of the time!
To answer your question though I think they work, when I use mine day to day, so in the labour room it should work for those who don't use it every day.

Tesco, Mothercare etc places like that are good for them!
Tesco by me, had them in stock and keep them for
you until you want to pick them up. Hire them for £27.
Bargain !
And you get to keep it for 2 weeks past your due date too!

H and Bump x

_________________

Sun Feb 12, 2006 3:17 pm

nikki13

ED frequent user

Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:06 pmPosts: 246

tens machine

hi all

Yes i have to say the tens machine is fabulous...used them on both of my labours and they really did help.

Used tens machine then went onto gas and air once the contractions got alot stronger as found tens machine wasn't touching the pain.

But phoebe was turned with her head round wrong way, so my contractions were all coming from round my back passage area instead of the top of the bump like with my first labour....

Good luck to everyone.....

nikki

_________________

Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:52 pm

pinkfairy

ED frequent user

Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:49 pmPosts: 390

I used a tens machine for my first labour, I put it on the night before I went into labour as my back was hurting ( must of been the startings of labour!) I woke up at 2am in full blown labour and kept my tens machine on throughout it definetly helped so I am hiring one again!

_________________

Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:10 pm

feathers

ED member

Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:04 amPosts: 82

I've hired one from Boots via their web site, they send theirs out at 37 weeks. They are slightly more expensive at £29.99 for 4 weeks then two weeks FOC after due date. You must let them know if you need it for those 2 extra weeks by your due date, otherwise they can charge you a lot of money!

_________________Mummy to Jack who was born 8th March 2006
Mummy to Fletcher born 24th May 2008

I hired one from Boots on the day I gave birth! I'd been in slow labour for ages and was going out of my mind. I think it cost about £30 for 4 weeks loan.

_________________Mary, Mummy to:

James 6, Daisy 4 and Dylan 2

and expecting baby number 4 in May 2012

Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:58 pm

susand1408

ED frequent user

Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:39 amPosts: 113

There isn't much difference in the price of buying and the price of hiring one at boots. I think the lowest priced one to buy is £49.95 and you can use it afterwards as well for back ache, muscle pain etc. My dad uses one for his bad back so I will either borrow his or buy one myself.

start using it two weeks before EDD for an hour a night. This will help you
get used to using it, putting pads on etc
H and Bump x[/quote]

Won't the pads start losing their stickiness if you use it this early?

_________________

Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:51 pm

GirlWondering

ED frequent user

Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 8:55 amPosts: 119Location: St. Albans

I bought one at Boots.com--it was £45 for the FemmeTens (on a 10% off day) as opposed to £26.95 for renting it. I plan to use it starting at 37/38 weeks so my body "knows" it by delivery. Hoping to use this, plus water, birthing ball & gas & air only! Hoping it works!

Karie

_________________

Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:05 am

orangejuice

ED member

Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:45 pmPosts: 37

you cant use a tens and water, youll get an electric shock! though you can use it before going in birthing pool but i have heard you will notice the differnce when you take it off!
i hoping to use tens and gas and air hopefully!x